Author's Note: Ok, I didn't use any random stuff this time because…I'm a bad person. Lol. Sadly, there is a very big chance that this will be my last update for about a week and a half, seeing as how my show is opening and I'll be at school 13 hours a day most days. So yeah…there might be one more, but in case there isn't…look for me then. ::is sad::

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Chapter 37: A Good Guy

August 30th

12:22 PM

The Loft

"Have you heard anything from Mark?" Joanne asked warily, wincing at the look Roger gave her in response.

"Yes," Mimi answered, glaring back at Roger, "he called last week. He said the work was great, and he sounded like he meant it."

The group was gathered in the loft, waiting for Maureen to return from the interview that would determine whether or not she'd gotten the job. There was a knock at the door, and Joanne jumped up to answer it, assuming it was Maureen. Instead, she was greeted by the sight of a grinning Benny. He was dressed in dark slacks and a crisp white shirt, and holding a red rose.

"And you would be here…why?" Joanne asked sourly.

Benny grinned obnoxiously.

"Just here to see how your lovely lady faired in her audition."

"To scoff, you mean."

Benny threw up his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Why does everyone seem to think I'm the villain around here?"

He laughed at the look Joanne gave him.

"Oh, what the hell," she said at last, "come in. But I reserve the right to throw you out at any time if you start causing trouble."

Benny shrugged.

"Fine by me." He took her hand and kissed it. "I'll make sure to be on my best behavior."

Benny pushed past her and Joanne shut the door behind him, wiping her hand in disgust.

"Hey, guys," she called, "look what I found. I guess the garbage collectors forgot to come here this morning."

Benny waved to the group, then plopped himself down beside Roger.

"So," he began, but he was interrupted by another knock on the door.

"I'll get it," Roger said eagerly.

No sooner had he opened the door then Maureen bounded in with a squeal and nearly knocked him down with a flying hug. Roger caught her with a grunt and carried her into the living room, dropping her unceremoniously on Joanne's lap.

"Hey!" she shrieked, shaking her fist at Roger.

"So," said Joanne," she's smiling. "Does that mean she got it?"

Maureen gave her an odd look.

"Why are you talking like that?"

Joanne shrugged.

"I don't know…Did *you* get it?"

Maureen grinned and nodded.

"Ensemble."

Benny went over to her and gave her the rose.

"Congratulations…What was this role again?"

"Hairspray," she answered proudly, "I'm in the ensemble of Hairspray."

"Does that mean you won't need your straightening iron anymore?" Joanne teased.

Maureen stuck out her tongue.

"Shut up, Miss Ivy League. I have a *job* now."

Roger snorted.

"Well…that's more than the rest of us can say."

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September 2nd

7:43 PM

Syracuse

Mark looked at the storyboard he'd laid out on the floor and raked his fingers through his hair, a nervous habit that had resurfaced since he'd moved. His apartment was small, but large enough for two people to comfortably inhabit. The bedroom was the main room, with a small kitchen in one corner. There was a small bathroom and an equally small living room that Mark had converted into a dark room. After years of living in the loft, it felt very much like paradise.

Mark rearranged the pictures and sighed. Either way would probably look good, but he couldn't decide which would be more affective or which one he liked better.

"Hey, stranger," Aimee grinned, returning from her last class of the day, "Is it going any better?"

Mark groaned and shook his head. He'd spent so long dreaming of producing a real documentary that he hadn't even thought of what he'd do if he ever actually got the resources. He was due to begin filming in two days and he was still agonizing over the order of the first sequence. He'd always hated decision making.

"I'm sorry."

She kissed him on the cheek. Mark stood up and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"I love you," he murmured.

Aimee grinned up at him.

"Good, because there's something I've been wanting to ask you."

Mark raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Will you marry me?"

"What?" Mark asked again, reeling with shock.

"Will you marry me?" she repeated, laughing at him.

"Isn't that my line?"

"Just answer."

"Yes…?" Mark burst into amazed laughter.

"What?" Aimee asked, her eyes shining with amusement.

"Nothing…just…I never thought I'd get married…much less that my girlfriend would ask *me*."

She kissed him again, still laughing.

"You're a good guy. Like I said before, you're a dork, Marky…but I love you for it."

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